Monthly Archives: July 2013

A Geriatric Case Manager, (GCM) or Licensed Nurse Practitioner (LNP) may be helpful to ensure that all involved understand the medical issues and begin to address a cooperative approach to any challenges.

-By Dana O’Donnell, R.N.

Whether you are caring for someone in your home, or you are one of many long-distance caregivers, a family meeting can be very helpful when planning the care, support and safety of a loved one. It’s an opportunity for the members of a family to gather at a specified time to discuss their observations of changes they recently witnessed and review the information they have received about the ill or compromised family member. A Geriatric Case Manager, (GCM) or Licensed Nurse Practitioner (LNP) may be helpful to ensure that all involved understand the medical issues and begin to address a cooperative approach to any challenges. If your family members are not accustomed to talking openly or problem-solving together, you may want to consider using an unbiased source.

“Refugee” is a legal term given to anyone who is unable or unwilling to return to their home country because of a well-founded fear of persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or social group. The LCS Refugee Resettlement Program is a local affiliate of the national Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service, which assists refugees and asylees through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of State. Provided in collaboration with previously-arrived relatives, co-sponsoring churches and organizations and individual volunteers, our refugee resettlement services are designed to create a smooth transition to life in the local community and to promote economic self-sufficiency.

Camp Noahserves children who have often lost everything, including special mementos such as childhood blankets. Its purpose is to help disaster survivors feel less isolated; help them express and accept their many difficult feelings; understand more about the process of recovery; develop new friends; and find relief in small comforts and play time. Camp Noah can provide children and families with the basic foundation they need to help them take the first step forward in defining and accepting what will become their “new normal”.

“Terry is a superstar!” That is how Gary Hobday described, Terry Mulamba, a refugee from the Congo. Gary has been meeting with Terry over the past four weeks as a part of the New American Mentorship Program. Gary goes on about Terry, “This guy is going places. He has a great attitude. . . He and I both play guitar. He writes gospel songs.” Gary is helping Terry to explore how he might move toward a career in the medical field.

“Everywhere is within walking distance if you have the time.”-Steven Wright

As the Resident Wellness Coordinator for Liberty’s Senior Communities, I am responsible for keeping our residents active by designing and offering creative exercise programs that engage and help to maintain or improve their functional ability. If I’ve learned nothing in the 5 years that I have worked with the senior population, I have learned one thing – No matter how creative my program is, or how engaging I am, some residents just don’t like formal exercise groups or using a gym. I’m sure this has a lot to do with the period of time during which our residents were raised. Since my goal is to have every resident doing some mode of exercise, I resort back to the basics.

The heart of Artman truly beats in the chest of our compassionate staff! As Personal Care Administrator at Artman, I work closely with residents making sure they are getting the compassionate care they deserve. A few years ago, we began a tradition here at Artman called the “Walk of Honor.” This is a way to show our love and support for the residents and families we have been so fortune to build relationships with during their life here at Artman.

Camp Noah volunteers are deploying to Newtown, CT this summer to work with young survivors impacted by violence, as well as Barnegat Light, NJ, where they will work with children who survived Hurricane Sandy. A team of approximately 30 people from Penn State Berks will spend a week in Newtown and about 20 from Friedens, Oley are assigned to the camp in New Jersey. Continue reading →

Bright colors, high energy and melodic beats filled the third floor of Liberty Lutheran’s Whitemarsh office building for a lesson in customer service! The Women’s Sekere Ensemble were the featured guests at the Liberty’s World Class University training program on Friday, June 27th. World Class University (WCU) is offered to front line and direct-care staff across the Liberty Family of Services. The curriculum of WCU places a special focus on Customer Service, but also highlights other valued behaviors that all employees should embody.